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JAGUAR Land Rover has hooked up with a virtual rock band to plug a skills gap via an app.

The Gorillaz app uses mixed-reality technology to immerse its users in the fictional world of the British group.

There’s now a JLR recruitment area on the mobile app, where aspiring electronics and software engineers can test their skills to be considered for a job.

First, there’s a task where the user has to assemble an I-Pace – Jaguar’s electric five-seater concept sports car. By learning about the vehicle’s performance, battery technology, space, charging and range, applicants will be more familiar with the benefits of electric vehicles.

Users then have to complete a variety of code-breaking puzzles designed to challenge their curiosity, persistence, lateral thinking and problem-solving skills.

Those who successfully complete these challenges will be fast-tracked through Jaguar Land Rover’s recruitment process, with the chance of being hired by the company.

JLR aims to recruit 5,000 new employees in 2017, more than 1,000 of whom will be electronics and software engineers. The app is a new way to find candidates and will address the skills gap in the industry.

It comes after Noodle, the fictional lead guitarist of Gorillaz, became an ambassador for Jaguar’s Formula E racing team and STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) department.

Alex Heslop, head of electrical engineering at Jaguar Land Rover, said: ‘As the automotive industry transforms over the next decade, fuelled by software innovation, we have to attract the best talent and that requires a radical rethink of how we recruit.

‘Here we’ve found an engaging way to recruit a diverse talent pool in software systems, cyber systems, app development and graphics performance. It will be the first of its kind.’